Indicator posts for use in cqnjuctioh with valves

ABSTRACT

AN INDICATOR DEVICE FOR A NONRISING STEM VALVE HAS A HOUSING IN WHICH IS MOUNTED AN ELONGATED SCREW ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO THE VALVE STEM. THE SCREW IS ROTATABLE BUT CANNOT MOVE AXIALLY. THE SCREW IS HOLLOW AND HAS A PAIR OF ELONGATED SLOTS THROUGH WHICH A BAR EXTENDS TRANSVERSELY AND AN INDICATOR ROD, LOCATED IN THE HOLLOW SCREW, IS ATTACHED TO THE BAR. THE ENDS OF THE BAR ARE ATTACHED TO A FOLLOWER THREADED ONTO THE SCREW. THE FOLLOWER NUT CAN MOVE AXIALLY OF THE SCREW BUT IS RETAINED AGAINST ROTATION. THE BAR ENDS ARE CONNECTED TO THE NUT IN A MANNER TO ALLOW THE BAR TO ROTATE WITH THE SCREW. AS THE SCREW IS TURNED THE NUT, BAR AND ROD MOVE AXIALLY OF THE SCREW.

July 9, 1 74 FORTUNE ETAL R:- 28,059

mmcA'roa ros'rs FOR USE IN comucnou WITH VALVES Original Filed April 1,1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

July 9, 1974 R. FORTUNE E'I'AL Re. 28,069

INDICATOR POSTS FOR USE IN CONJUCIION WITH VALVES mm Filed April 1, 19692 Sheet-Sheet 2 FIG 3 4 Z 55 Ai ,2 Vii Z7 FIG 4 United States PatentOflice Reissued July 9, 1974 28,069 INDICATOR POSTS FOR USE INCONJUNCTION WITH VALVES Ronald Fortune, Hamilton, Ontario, Ernest G.Mills,

Kitchener, Ontario, and James Beverley Woods, Preston, Ontario, Canada,assignors to Canada Valve Limited, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada OriginalNo. 3,554,160, dated Jan. 12, 1971, Ser. No. 812,255, Apr. 1, 1969.Application for reissue Oct. 25, 1972, Ser. No. 300,797

Int. Cl. F16k 37/00 US. Cl. 116-125 11 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets [II appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed ln italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An indicator device for a nonrising stemvalve has a housing in which is mounted an elongated screw adapted to becoupled to the valve stem. The screw is rotatable but cannot moveaxially. The screw is hollow and has a pair of elongated slots throughwhich a bar extends transversely and an indicator rod, located in thehollow screw, is attached to the bar. The ends of the bar are attachedto a follower threaded onto the screw. The follower nut can move axiallyof the screw but is restrained against rotation. The bar ends areconnected to the nut in a manner to allow the bar to rotate with thescrew. As the screw is turned the nut, bar and rod move axially of thescrew.

This invention relates to indicated posts for use in combination withvalves for control of the flow of fluid. More particularly it relates toindicator posts for valves used in civic water distribution systemswherein the valve proper is buried below ground level and the indicatorpost is detachably mounted on the valve and extends upwardly through theground. At the highest level or top of the indicator post, above groundlevel, it is normal practice to have some mode of mechanism incorporatedtherein to provide movable components to visually indicate whether theburied valve is open or closed, particularly when viewed from asubstantial distance.

The present specification provides for a simple and efiicient yetpracticable mechanism which is wholly contained within a totally closedhousing, the outer wall diameter of which has a smooth and continuoussurface whereby to adequately protect the completely enclosed mechanismagainst widely varying climatic elements and physical damage and, inaddition, to provide improved reliability when subject to arduousservice conditions. Moreover, the present invention eliminates sightwindows of glass which are subject to physical damage and otherdisadvantages caused by the aforementioned climatic conditions whichimpair visual observation particularly when reversals in atmospherictemperature and humidity precipitate fog on the glass panes of thewindows in the indicator post.

In the prior art the housing of the indicator post, normally referred toas the barrel, is constructed at its upper or outermost extremity toaccommodate two window frames which are spaced 180 apart. These windowframes are cast integral with the barrel to receive the glass paneswhich, to exclude rain, sleet and snow, must be gasketed and securelyfastened into the inside of the barrel. It should be apparent that sucha construction has inherent disadvantages as, for example uneconomicconstruction, vulnerability to extreme climatic variations, impairedvisual function and, not least, less reliability in actual service.

It is therefore one object of my invention to provide an indicator posttotally encasing a novel indicator actuating mechanism at its outermostextremity whereby to isolate the mechanism from changing climaticelements which would otherwise expose it to damage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator postcomprising a mechanism capable of converting rotational action totranslational motion so as to impart inward or downward and outward orupward reciprocal movement to an indicator rod and to provide positivevisual observance of the open and closed positions of the valve on whichthe indicator post is mounted.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicator post havinga unique construction which permits tolerances between the movablecomponents such that components can be easily replaced or interchanged,greater economy in manufacturing production, and improved reliability inservice.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of thefollowing detailed specification taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical, part-sectional view of the novel indicator postand housing therefor;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, fragmentary cross-sectional view of the postoperating mechanism in larger scale with the indicator rod in the fullyprojected position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 ofFIG. 2 with the indicator rod in fully retracted position illustratingthe transverse slots in the operating screw which receive therein andtherethrough the crossbar to which the indicator rod is looselyattached; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section showing a modifiedconstruction incorporating an antifriction hearing and crossbar forapplication where needed in very large valves or sluice gates.

Referring to FIG. 1, the indicator post A comprises a base 1, anextension pipe 2, a mechanism housing or body 3, a gland ring 4 andpacking gasket 5. A mounting plate 6 is attached to the bonnet flange ofthe valve bonnet 7 thus supporting the indicator post assembly.

The stem 8 (shown in broken line) of the valve 9 has a hexagonal orother shaped adapter nut 10 mounted on the upper end and rotates as aunit with the stem. Nut 10 is receivable in a matching configurated core11 of the coupling 12. The upper portion of coupling 12 has a squareshaped core 13 and is attached, as by the pin 14, to extension rod 15the lower end of which is square shaped in order to couple with thecoupling 12. Housing 3 preferably telescopes the outer wall of extensionpipe 2 and is fastened thereto by means of the wedging and clampingaction of the locking wedge 16 as the cap screw 17 is rotated intoengagement with the threaded hole 18 causing tension which draws thewedge 16 into locking position where it abuts against the outer wall ofthe extension pipe 2 and the inner wall of wedge pocket 18' formed atthe lower end of housing 3.

Bonnet 19 is fastened to the upper end of housing 3 by any knownconventional means as, for example, cap screws. The bonnet 19 is formedwith a sleeve 21 extending centrally inwardly of the bonnet.

Mounted in bushing 22 is operating screw 24, depending into the bore 25of the housing 3 to an extent suflicient to accommodate the greatestdistance of travel required for the largest size of valve, with whichthe indicator post is designed to cooperate. Screw 24 is formed withflange 24' which bears against the top of bonnet 19. Lock nut 25 isthreaded onto screw 24 against shoulder 26' and prevents the operatingscrew 24 from moving longitudinally. The operating screw 24 is providedwith two diametrically elongated opposed slots 26 through which thecrossbar 27 passes transversely to the central axis of the operatingscrew 24. The latter is externally threaded as at 28 and is receivablewithin the internally threaded hole 29 of the follower nut 30. Thelatter has two diametrically opposed female slots or keyways 31 formedintegrally with nut 30, the outermost radius 32 of which keyways looselystraddle male guide ribs 33 formed integrally with and extendinginwardly from the wall of housing 3. The keyways and guides restrain thefollower nut 30 from rotation yet guide it in direct translationalmotion.

At its lower or inner end the operating screw 24 has a cored hole 34 ofsquare configuration to receive loosely therein the square-shaped outeror upper end of the extension stem whereby to form, between them, a maleand female coupling to rotatably impart motion from the operating screw24 to the extension rod 15. The upper portion 35 of operating screw 24is bored to snugly and slidably receive therein the indicator rod 36sealed by O-ring 36'. The rod has at its lower extremity a circulartransverse hole 37 therein to loosely accommodate the round crossbar 27which extends transversely through the slots 26 of the operating screw24 with the ends of the bar connected with follower nut 30. Each end ofthe crossbar 27 projects into an annular recess 38 formed by theretaining cap 39 in conjunction with the follower nut 30 as it fitssnugly over the diameter 40 to provide the annular bearing recess 38 inwhich the ends of bar 27 can revolve and rotate. The retaining cap 39 issecurely fastened as, for example, by the screws 41 (FIG. 2).Preferably, the crossbar is arcuate shaped at both ends 42 to preventbinding against the inner wall 43 of the retaining cap as the crossbar27 moves transversely.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operating screw 24 has formed integrally at itsouter extremity a mounting flange 24' to facilitate assembly with thebonnet. Projecting outwardly therefrom and integral with the operatingscrew 24 is a nut-shaped portion 45 to fit the female from 46' of wrench46 (FIG. 1) which normally is formed for permanent attachment to theindicator post by any conventional means, such as the hasp 47 and apadlock, not shown.

In operation, the wrench 46 is unlatched from its normally residualposition and is applied to fit the nut 45 of the operating screw 24.Dependent on whether the valve 9 requires a clockwise orcounterclockwise rotation to open it, will determine whether thedirection of rotation of the operating screw 24 shall be eitherclockwise or counterclockwise. Consequently, the thread 28 on theexternal wall of the operating screw 24 and the mating internal thread29 of the follower nut 30 may be threaded to effect either right-hand orleft-hand lead.

In describing the operation it is assumed that the stem 8 of the valveproper is nonrising and that the assembled mechanism is required toraise the indicator rod 36 gradually and vertically beyond the top 48 ofscrew 24 so that when the valve is moved to the closed position, theindicator rod 36 projects beyond so as to be clearly visible.

As rotational motion is applied in a clockwise direction to theoperating screw 24, the follower nut 30 whose internal thread 29 engagesthe external thread 28 of the operating screw 24 moves withtranslational motion upwardly from the lowermost position shown in FIG.3 to the maximum extent shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, as both of theopposed keyways 31 straddle the guide ribs 33, the follower nut 30 isrestrained from rotation while it travels upwardly and downwardly alongthe axis of screw 24. Since rod 15 is coupled at one end to operatingscrew 24 and at the other end to adapter nut 10, the latter is rotatedupon rotation of the operating screw 24.

An important feature of the invention is the novel construction of theindicator mechanism which results in greatly improved operation andreliability. This particular feature comprises a hollow operating screw24 having diametrically opposed slots 26 elongated to a distance atleast equal to the full travel of the indicator rod 36, the total lengthOf which may be varied to suit a wide range of valve sizes. Moreover,the slots 26 straddle the crossbar 27 as the latter extends into theannular recess 38 so that the crossbar 27 moves either upward ordownward coincident with the position of the combined follower nut 30and retaining cap 39. The indicator rod 36 is provided with a hole 37slightly larger than the diameter of the crossbar 27 so that the lattermay rotate freely therein as the operating screw 24 is rotated. Thecrossbar 27 thus transmits translational motion to the indicator rod 36as it travels from the inneror lowermost retractable position which islevel with the outermost surface 48, to the upperor outermost projectedvisible position beyond the surface 48.

In construction and combination, we have provided an indicator postpossessing overall improved advantages, one which is less vulnerable todamage resulting from the totally enclosed protective housing and havinga visual target easily observed from a substantial distance. All ofwhich contribute towards an indicator post capable of rendering improvedoperation and reliability in service.

We claim:

1. A device for indicating the extent of opening or closing of a valveoperable by means of a rotatable valve stem characterized by anelongated housing [an] a hollow elongated rotatable member within saidhousing, means for mounting said member on said valve with said memberin axial alignment with said valve stem, said member being restrainedagainst longitudinal movement, a second member within said housingrestrained against rotary movement, said second member being concentricwith said elongated rotatable member and in operable engagement[therewith] with the outer surface thereof, in a manner to producestraight line motion in said second member upon rotation of saidelongated rotatable member, an indicator located within said hollowelongated rotatable member and engaged with said second member [andvisible from the outside of said housing] in a manner to permit it tomove in unison therewith, means externally of said housing for rotatingsaid rotatable member and means for coupling said rotatable member tothe valve stem.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 in which said elongated rotatablemember has [a central] an axial passageway through which said indicator[rod] extends outwardly of one end of said housing, said rotatablemember has at least one elongated slot extending through the wallthereof, a connecting member extends from said second member throughsaid slot into said passageway, and said indicator [rod] is attached tosaid second member in a manner which permits the connecting member torotate with said rotatable member.

[3. A device in accordance with claim 2 in which said elongatedrotatable member is outwardly threaded and said second member isthreadedly engaged with said rotatable member] [4. A device inaccordance with claim 1 in which said indicator rod extends outside saidhousing from the end opposite to that in which said coupling means isl0cated.]

5. A device in accordance with claim 2 in which said indicator [rod]extends outside said housing from the end opposite to that in which saidcoupling means is located.

[6. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which said indicator rodextends outside said housing from the end opposite to that in which saidcoupling means is located.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1 in which means are provided at[the] one end of the housing [opposite to that from which the indicatorrod extends] for mounting said housing on a valve, and said couplingmeans is located adjacent the same end as said mounting means.

[8. A device in accordance with claim 2 in which means are provided atthe end of the housing opposite to that from which the indicator rodextends for mounting said housing on a valve, and said coupling means islocated adjacent the same end as said mounting means] [9. A device inaccordance with claim 3 in which means are provided at the end of thehousing opposite to that from which the indicator rod extends formounting said housing on a valve, and said coupling means is locatedadjacent the same end as said mounting means] 10. A device in accordancewith claim [3] 2 in which said elongated rotatable member has twooppositely positioned slots, the said second member is a follower nutthreaded onto said elongated rotatable member, said connecting member isa crossbar extending transversely through said slots and through a holein said indicator [rod] the ends of the crossbar are attached to saidfollower nut in a manner to permit said ends to revolve and rotaterelative to said nut and said follower nut and inside wall of saidhousing have cooperating keys and elongated keyways to prevent the outfrom rotating.

11. A device in accordance with claim [2] 10 in which said elongatedslots are of sufficient length to enable the connecting member orcrossbar to travel the full distance along the line of motion to whichit is translated during full opening and complete closing of the valvein connection with which it is adapted to be used.

[12. A device in accordance with claim 3 in which said elongated slotsare of sufficient length to enable the connecting member or crossbar totravel the full distance along the line of motion to which it istranslated during full opening and complete closing of the valve inconnection with which it is adapted to be used] [13. A device inaccordance with claim 6 in which said elongated slots are of sutllcientlength to enable the connecting member or crossbar to travel the fulldistance along the line of motion to which it is translated during fullopening and complete closing of the valve in connection With which it isadapted to be used] 14. A device in accordance with claim 10 in whichthe crossbar is round and the crossbar fits loosely in the hole in theindicator [rod].

15. An indicator adopted to be opcmtively connected to a rotatable valvestem in order to indicate the extent of opening or closing of a valvecomprising a hollow, elongated, externally-threaded member rotatablymounted but restrained against longitudinal movement, a second memberconcentric with and threadably engaging said hollow member, said secondmember being free to move longitudinally npon rotation of said hollowmember but being restrained against rotational motion, at least oneelongated slot in said hollow member, and indicator rod adapted to moreaxially of and within said hollow member, one end of said indicator rodbeing fastened to a crossbar extending transversely through said slotand engaging said second member in a manner to enable the cross bar torotate with said hollow member and to move longitudinally with saidsecond member, the other end of said indicator rod being externallyvisible when in a position indicating it shut valve.

16. An indicator in accordance with claim 15 in which said hollow memberhas two diametrically opposite slots and said crossbar extends throughboth slots to engage said second member.

17. An indicator in accordance with claim 15 in which said crossbarengages said second member by having at least one end of the crossbarproject into an annular recess in said second member, in which recessthe crossbar end can rotate.

18. An indicator in accordance with claim 8 in which said crossbarengages said second member by having both ends of the crossbar projectin an annular recess in said second member, in which recess the ends ofthe crossbar can rotate.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 951,927 3/1910 Whitney 116-125 1,251,792 1/1918Lofton 1l6-l25 1,806,305 5/1931 Mueller 137553 2,132,199 10/1938 Yancey1l6-125 XR 3,554,160 1/1971 Fortune et a1. 116125 684,191 10/1901Chathatn 13'7553 X 1,386,065 8/1921 LoftOn 116125 2,140,934 12/1938 Dopp116-125 3,150,534 9/1964 Harrison 74-8915 X 3,134,570 5/1964 Jarrett137-556 X LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 74-8915

